Scripture
Luke 5:12-16
While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately the leprosy left him. And He ordered him to tell no one, “But go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing, just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.
Observation
Jesus went to cities - He went to where the people were. In one of the cities He went to, there was a man with leprosy who saw & recognized Jesus as the One who could help him, 'if only He was willing.' The man fell on his face before Jesus and begged Him, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him - an unclean leper with rotting skin and open sores - Jesus touched him! Jesus said, "I am willing - be cleansed." Immediately the man was healed!
He ordered the man not to tell anyone but to go and show himself to the priest and make an offering for his cleansing just as Moses had commanded in the law, as a testimony to them. The stories about Jesus Christ spreads like wild fire - and crowds gather to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus would frequently slip away to be alone and pray.
Application
God calls us to go to where the people are. He set an example for us of how to love people by touching the sick, the lost and broken, to tell them about our Wonderful Savior Who Heals and Saves. But, in order for me to effectively touch others in Jesus Name, and to love the unlovely, I need alone time with God - just as Jesus modeled for us. I need to slip away and spend time with Jesus and then go among the people and be a testimony and a witness of the great things God has done for me!
Prayer
O Father God, thank You for sending Jesus, Your Only Begotten Son, to show me how to love You and how to love people. You are willing to heal, to save, to forgive, to restore, to make us whole. Help me to be willing to do what You have called me to do. In Jesus Name, A-men.
